Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 204 (Monday, October 24, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64149-64152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22703]



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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 204 / Monday, October 24, 2022 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 64149]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0813; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01316-A; 
Amendment 39-22194; AD 2022-20-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Vulcanair S.p.A. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68, P.68B, P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68 ``Observer,'' 
P.68TC ``Observer,'' P.68 ``Observer 2,'' and P.68R airplanes. This AD 
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and 
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies 
the unsafe condition as corrosion causing failure of the upper rudder 
hinge. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the upper and lower 
rudder hinges for corrosion, cracking, and damage, and depending on the 
inspection results, taking corrective action. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 28, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 28, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-0813; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the MCAI, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Vulcanair S.p.A., Fulvio Oloferni, via Giovanni Pascoli, 7, 
80026 Naples, Italy; phone: +39 081 5918 135; email: 
vulcanair.com">airworthiness@vulcanair.com; website: vulcanair.com.
    <bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0813.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John DeLuca, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 
228-7369; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Vulcanair S.p.A. 
Model P.68, P.68B, P.68C, P.68C-TC, P.68 ``Observer,'' P.68TC 
``Observer,'' P.68 ``Observer 2,'' and P.68R airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2022 (87 FR 40755). The 
NPRM was prompted by AD 2021-0267, dated November 24, 2021 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), issued by the European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union. The MCAI states:

    Occurrences were reported of failures of the upper rudder hinge 
on P.68 aeroplanes due to corrosion, which can occur if the 
aeroplane is operated in an environment which may favour the 
formation of corrosion.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could interfere 
with rudder movement and ultimately lead to failure, possibly 
resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Vulcanair issued the 
SL [Vulcanair Aircraft Alert Service Letter No. 23, Revision 2, 
dated September 29, 2021] and updated the applicable AMM [Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual], as defined in this [EASA] AD, to provide 
inspection instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
repetitive inspections of the upper and lower rudder hinges and, 
depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective 
action(s).

    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively inspecting 
the upper and lower rudder hinges for corrosion, cracking, and damage, 
and depending on the inspection results, taking corrective action. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov 
under Docket No. FAA-2022-0813.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and 
determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. 
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Vulcanair Aircraft Alert Service Letter No. 23, 
Revision 2, dated September 29, 2021, which specifies procedures for 
inspecting the upper and lower rudder hinges for corrosion, cracking, 
and damage, and specifies contacting Vulcanair for instructions to 
repair an affected rudder hinge. This service information also refers 
to the applicable aircraft maintenance manuals for additional 
inspection procedures. The FAA also reviewed the following service 
information, which specifies procedures for maintaining various 
structural parts.

[[Page 64150]]

These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane 
models.
    <bullet> Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68C & 
P.68C-TC Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-1, Revision 7, dated May 11, 
2021.
    <bullet> Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68 
Observer 2 & P.68TC Observer Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-2, Revision 
8, dated November 11, 2021.
    <bullet> Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68R 
Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-3, Revision 12, dated December 12, 2019.
    <bullet> Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68C 
Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-1B, Revision 9, dated August 30, 2017.
    <bullet> Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68-TC 
Observer Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-4A, Revision 4, dated March 15, 
2018.
    <bullet> Section B, Structure, of the Vulcanair Aircraft A/C P68B 
Victor Maintenance Manual, NOR.10.709-9, Revision 16, dated September 
22, 2017.
    <bullet> Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68 
Observer 2 Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-10, Revision 5, dated October 
23, 2017.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI applies to Model P.68 ``Victor,'' P.68B ``Victor,'' and 
P.68R ``Victor'' airplanes, which are identified on the FAA type 
certificate as Model P.68, P.68B, and P.68R airplanes, respectively.
    The MCAI requires contacting Vulcanair for approved repair 
instructions, while this AD does not.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 14 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per airplane       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visual inspection of upper and    2 work-hours x $85  Not applicable....  $170 per            $2,380 per
 lower rudder hinges.              per hour = $170.                        inspection cycle.   inspection cycle.
Disassembly for dye inspection    7 work-hours x $85  Not applicable....  $595 per            $8,330 per
 of the top rudder hinge           per hour = $595.                        inspection cycle.   inspection cycle.
 (bracket).
Disassembly for dye inspection    8 work-hours x $85  Not applicable....  $680 per            $9,520 per
 for the lower rudder hinge        per hour = $680.                        inspection cycle.   inspection cycle.
 (control tube).
Dye inspection of upper and       2 work-hours x $85  Not applicable....  $170 per            $2,380 per
 lower rudder hinges (post         per hour = $170.                        inspection cycle.   inspection cycle.
 disassembly).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. The FAA 
has no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these 
actions.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost       airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of the top rudder hinge (bracket).  7 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $320            $915
                                                 $595.
Replacement of the lower rudder hinge (control  8 work-hours x $85 per hour =              1,020           1,700
 tube).                                          $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2022-20-10 Vulcanair S.p.A.: Amendment 39-22194; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0813; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01316-A.

[[Page 64151]]

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 28, 
2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Vulcanair S.p.A. Model P.68, P.68B, P.68C, 
P.68C-TC, P.68 ``Observer,'' P.68TC ``Observer,'' P.68 ``Observer 
2,'' and P.68R airplanes, all serial numbers (S/Ns), certificated in 
any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5540, Rudder 
Structure.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as corrosion 
causing failure of the upper rudder hinge. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address damage of the upper and lower rudder hinges. This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in interference with the 
rudder movement and lead to failure of the rudder, which could 
result in loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Within 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date 
of this AD or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
200 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first, inspect the 
upper and lower rudder hinges for looseness, corrosion, cracking, 
and damage in accordance with steps 1 through 4 of Vulcanair 
Aircraft Alert Service Letter No. 23, Revision 2, dated September 
29, 2021.
    (1) If there is no looseness, no corrosion, no cracking, and no 
damage, do the actions in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
    (i) Remove the rudder by following the removal procedure for 
your airplane identified in table 1 to paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this 
AD.

Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(1)(i)--Applicable Maintenance Manuals (MMs) for
                             Rudder Removal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Vulcanair MM rudder
        Airplane model             removal procedure      Airplane S/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.68 and P.68B................  Paragraph 6.2, Removal  All S/Ns.
                                 and Installation of
                                 the Rudder, of
                                 Chapter 6--Vertical
                                 Empennage, of Section
                                 B, Structure, of the
                                 Vulcanair Aircraft A/
                                 C P68B Victor
                                 Maintenance Manual,
                                 NOR.10.709-9,
                                 Revision 16, dated
                                 September 22, 2017.
P.68R.........................  Paragraph 6.2, Removal  S/N 40 and S/N
                                 and Installation of     430.
                                 the Rudder, of
                                 Chapter 6--Vertical
                                 Empennage, of Section
                                 B, Structure, of the
                                 Vulcanair Aircraft A/
                                 C P68B Victor
                                 Maintenance Manual,
                                 NOR.10.709-9,
                                 Revision 16, dated
                                 September 22, 2017.
                                Paragraph 3.2.13,       S/N 453 and
                                 Removal of Rudder, of   larger.
                                 Section 6,
                                 Structures, of the
                                 Vulcanair Aircraft
                                 P.68R Maintenance
                                 Manual, AMM10.702-3,
                                 Revision 12, dated
                                 December 12, 2019.
P.68C.........................  Paragraph 5.10,         S/N up to and
                                 Removal of the          including S/N
                                 Rudder, of Section C,   460.
                                 Airframe, of the
                                 Vulcanair Aircraft
                                 P68C Maintenance
                                 Manual, NOR10.709-1B,
                                 Revision 9, dated
                                 August 30, 2017.
                                Paragraph 3.2.13,       S/N 462 and
                                 Removal of Rudder, of   larger.
                                 Section 6,
                                 Structures, of the
                                 Vulcanair Aircraft
                                 P.68C & P.68C-TC
                                 Maintenance Manual,
                                 AMM10.702-1, Revision
                                 7, dated May 11, 2021.
P.68C-TC......................  Paragraph 5.10,         S/N up to and
                                 Removal of the          including S/N
                                 Rudder, of Section C,   392.
                                 Airframe, of the
                                 Vulcanair Aircraft
                                 P68C Maintenance
                                 Manual, NOR10.709-1B,
                                 Revision 9, dated
                                 August 30, 2017.
                                Paragraph 3.2.13,       S/N 467 and
                                 Removal of Rudder, of   larger.
                                 Section 6,
                                 Structures, of the
                                 Vulcanair Aircraft
                                 P.68C & P.68C-TC
                                 Maintenance Manual
                                 AMM10.702-1, Revision
                                 7, dated May 11, 2021.
P.68 Observer.................  Paragraph 5.10,         All S/Ns.
                                 Removal of the
                                 Rudder, of Section C,
                                 Airframe, of the
                                 Vulcanair Aircraft
                                 P68C Maintenance
                                 Manual, NOR10.709-1B,
                                 Revision 9, dated
                                 August 30, 2017.
P.68 Observer 2...............  Paragraph 5.10,         S/N up to and
                                 Removal of Rudder, of   including S/N
                                 Section C, Airframe,    451.
                                 of the Vulcanair
                                 Aircraft P68 Observer
                                 2 Maintenance Manual,
                                 NOR10.709-10,
                                 Revision 5, dated
                                 October 23, 2017.
                                Paragraph 3.2.13,       S/N 465 and
                                 Removal of Rudder, of   larger.
                                 Section 6,
                                 Structures, of the
                                 Vulcanair Aircraft
                                 P.68 Observer 2 &
                                 P.68TC Observer
                                 Maintenance Manual,
                                 AMM10.702-2, Revision
                                 8, dated November 11,
                                 2021.
P.68TC Observer...............  Paragraph 5.10,         S/N up to and
                                 Removal of the          including S/N
                                 Rudder, of Section C,   394.
                                 Airframe, of the
                                 Vulcanair Aircraft
                                 P68C Maintenance
                                 Manual, NOR10.709-1B,
                                 Revision 9, dated
                                 August 30, 2017.
                                Paragraph 5.10,         S/N 400 up to
                                 Removal of Rudder, of   and including S/
                                 Section C, Airframe,    N 461.
                                 of the Vulcanair
                                 Aircraft P68-TC
                                 Observer Maintenance
                                 Manual, NOR10.709-4A,
                                 Revision 4, dated
                                 March 15, 2018.
                                Paragraph 3.2.13,       S/N 481 and
                                 Removal of Rudder, of   larger.
                                 Section 6,
                                 Structures, of the
                                 Vulcanair Aircraft
                                 P.68 Observer 2 &
                                 P.68TC Observer
                                 Maintenance Manual,
                                 AMM10.702-2, Revision
                                 8, dated November 11,
                                 2021.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Perform a dye penetrant inspection of the hinges, paying 
particular attention to the pivot/attachment holes, using a dye 
penetrant solution for manual non-destructive testing using the 
following:
    (A) Penetrant System: TYPE II (Visible Dye);
    (B) METHOD C (Solvent Removable);
    (C) Developer: FORM D (Non-aqueous); or
    (D) Solvent Remover: CLASS 1 (Halogenated).
    (2) If there is any looseness, corrosion, cracking, or damage, 
replace the hinge before further flight.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve

[[Page 64152]]

AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD and email to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Additional Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact John DeLuca, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7369; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2021-0267, dated November 24, 2021, for more information. You may 
view the EASA AD at regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2022-0813.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Vulcanair Aircraft Alert Service Letter No. 23, Revision 2, 
dated September 29, 2021.
    (ii) Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68C & 
P.68C-TC Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-1, Revision 7, dated May 11, 
2021.
    (iii) Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68 
Observer 2 & P.68TC Observer Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-2, 
Revision 8, dated November 11, 2021.
    (iv) Section 6, Structures, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P.68R 
Maintenance Manual, AMM10.702-3, Revision 12, dated December 12, 
2019.
    (v) Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68C 
Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-1B, Revision 9, dated August 30, 2017.
    (vi) Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68-TC 
Observer Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-4A, Revision 4, dated March 
15, 2018.
    (vii) Section B, Structure, of the Vulcanair Aircraft A/C P68B 
Victor Maintenance Manual, NOR.10.709-9, Revision 16, dated 
September 22, 2017.
    (viii) Section C, Airframe, of the Vulcanair Aircraft P68 
Observer 2 Maintenance Manual, NOR10.709-10, Revision 5, dated 
October 23, 2017.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Vulcanair S.p.A., Fulvio Oloferni, via Giovanni Pascoli, 7, 80026 
Naples, Italy; phone: +39 081 5918 135; email: 
vulcanair.com">airworthiness@vulcanair.com; website: vulcanair.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 19, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-22703 Filed 10-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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